“Getting prepared for something is amazing but
anytime @officialcainvelasquez is in the training room
you know training goes to another level,” Cormier wrote. “So good
to have this dude back, he’s played such a huge part in my journey
it’s hard when he’s gone.”

Since losing the UFC title to Fabricio
Werdum in June 2015, the 35-year-old Velasquez has competed
just once inside the Octagon, pounding out Travis
Browne in the first round at UFC 2000 in July 2016. Last
December, Velasquez was due to rematch Werdum at UFC 207 but was
pulled from the contest days before the contest after the Nevada
Athletic Commission declined to approve him to fight; Velasquez had
publicly admitted to being scheduled for back surgery five days
following the contest, as well as using cannabidiol oral spray for
pain management during his training camp.

“It’s a process. When you start dealing with some of the injuries
that Cain has had, and I’ve seen this since wrestling -- backs and
necks and all those types of injuries -- man, it takes time to
recover,” Cormier explained. “And I think, for a long time, Cain
may have pushed himself when he should’ve rested, and I believe
this time he’s actually taken the time to try to let himself heal,
and I feel like this will be a chance for him to make a long,
sustained run, much longer than he really has over the course of
his career.”

Velasquez has been besieged by injuries throughout his career. In
addition to his back surgery in January, the 11-year pro has
undergone three knee surgeries, two procedures on his left shoulder
and one on his elbow, his foot and his hand respectively.

“I have to be smart about going back and can't rush just to make a
fight and then risk another injury. My body needs to be 100
[percent]. I can't provide a definitive timeline on when I'll be
ready to go, but you'll be the first to know when the time comes,”
Velasquez
wrote in a social media post in March.

In September, Velasquez stated he was eyeing a return in early
2018.

“He’s had a lot of injuries at bad times. I talked to Cain about
this, and it sucks. For a guy who was talented and committed to the
sport, he’s probably lost five years,” Cormier told Helwani.

“Can you imagine what Cain
Velasquez’s resume would look like without five years worth of
time on the shelf? It’s so sad to think about,” Cormier continued.
“But, I believe that he has finally gotten himself in a position
where his body is going to be able to match his work ethic, his
mind, his ferociousness, his mentality, everything, and allow him
to go on a run -- a long, sustained run -- to kinda finish out his
career.”